About Bmcan
Our Purpose
Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network (BMCAN) is a community membership-based, not-for-profit company that aims to support a vibrant, sustainable, creative arts community through leadership, member services and collaborative partnerships. Donations are tax deductible.
Artists generally work in isolation. What sets our network apart from other arts-based groups is that we offer:
- auspice support for artists applying for grants
- multi-arts co-created activities such as the Wild Mountain Collective bringing together musicians, artists, photographers, writers, thinkers, poets and philosophers
- Arts Trails and Open Studios enabling visual artists to connect with potential customers
- ideas leadership through Talking Art and its podcasts
- exhibitions which provide visual artists with exposure to the public
- career development through learning promotion and small business skills
- donations to our public fund are tax deductible
Our Member Services
ArtBytes—We provide a regular newsletter to members reporting on the activities of BMCAN and including short articles by members
Online Services—Members can display their work on our BMCAN website and list their events and exhibitions. There are blogs for Wild Mountain Collective and Talking Art. We also maintain four Facebook pages (two open and two group pages)
Blue Mountains Creative Leaders Awards—Each year BMCAN works with other arts organisation to celebrate the leaders in all creative genres across the Blue Mountains through a Creative Leaders Award
Arts Trails—We arrange, oversee and heavily promote two Blue Mountains Arts Trails per year (one in the Upper Mountains and one in the Lower Mountains). This is an opportunity for you to promote and sell from your studio
Weekend Open Studios—We promote by brochure, advertisement and on our website, artists who open their studios on weekends
Grant support (auspice)—We support artists applying for grants by providing auspice services (assistance with applications and administration of funds granted)
Artists Café Talking Art—Meet every second month in a local café with a group of fellow artists and discuss art. Sometimes led by an experienced artist, these are an opportunity for a friendly exchange of ideas
Wild Mountain Collective—Multi-arts co-created activities, including a book club and blog, using the arts to explore and celebrate the ‘wild’ and our interconnected relationship with nature and one another. The inclusion of all art practices with co-created events provides the opportunity to experience a broad range of ideas and learning, with posts on our blog: www.wildmountaincollective.com.au
Talking Art Events—Listen to experienced artists discuss and share the artistic challenges they face and the ideas that are informing the latest developments in visual arts, with conversations podcasted and video recorded for publication on www.talkingart.com.au
Regular exhibitions—We organise up to eight open exhibitions per year. These are held at locations such as United Cinemas-The Edge at Katoomba, Gallery One88, Braemar Gallery and other suitable locations. All exhibitions are selected and judged.
Curated exhibitions—BMCAN, with the support of a curator, organises exhibitions at venues like Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Woodford Academy, Braemar Gallery and NSW Parliament House. Members have the opportunity to participate
Education—As artists are also running a small business, we support and encourage the development of business skills by our members through classes held at TAFE, Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber, MTNS MADE and Western Sydney Business Centre. We also run occasional workshops on specific subjects, depending on member requests
Public Liability insurance. As a member you are covered for Public and Products Liability insurance of $20 million when you participate in a BMCAN exhibition or event.
BMCAN Newsletter ‘Artbytes’
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